Main Treatments:
- Antibiotics
- Drainage Procedure
- Surgery
What is an Abscess?
Abscesses are membranes that are filled with infectious pus. These lumps are typically red and swollen, leading to discomfort. You should avoid caring for an abscess on your own because it can lead to additional infection or cause a scar. The pus in an abscess contains bacteria that can infect nearby tissues. The most common areas to get an abscess are where the skin rubs, leading to irritation. The location of an abscess is often an area that is exposed to bacteria or that is difficult to reach to keep clean. Some of these locations can include the armpits, groin, or back. It is also possible to have an abscess inside the mouth on the soft oral tissues such as the gums or cheeks.
Where Do Abscesses Occur?
An abscess can occur in any place of the body, including:
- Hollow spaces
- The organs
- The skin
What Causes an Abscess?
Many abscesses are a complication from a previous injury such as an abrasion or cut that permitted bacteria to enter the skin and the underlying tissues. Occasionally, an abscess occurs due to an infection from a foreign body or from having some type of parasitical infections. Abscesses form as a way to contain the bacteria to prevent a deeper infection in the body. This inflammatory response can lead to a tiny abscess, but in some cases, the abscess continues to enlarge because there are additional pus and bacteria. Boils and carbuncles are types of abscesses that can occur on the body, and these abscesses often involve an infection of a hair follicle.
Puncture and Drainage
Having a poor immune system, living in unsanitary environments, or having inadequate blood circulation can make you more susceptible to having an abscess. Taking oral antibiotics or using antibiotic ointments won’t help you to overcome an abscess because the growth requires professional drainage. A physician at an urgent care center such as WellCare in Grand Rapids can perform this procedure by using the proper tools that are sterilized to prevent additional infection. After the abscess is punctured and drained, you should take the prescribed oral antibiotics that will be given by your doctor.
Preventing Complications
There are possible complications from abscesses, including having a fever, infection, or seeing an abscess on the face. At home, you should keep the surgical site clean and bandaged to keep it from developing an additional infection. Deep abscesses or abscesses inside the body are more dangerous because the bacteria can spread, leading to gangrene.
Come into WellCare
If you have an abscess or have noticed complications from your abscess treatment it is imperative that you get care right away. Come into WellCare Urgent Care to be seen by one of our Doctors on hand. At WellCare in Grand Rapids, we make sure to see patients right away to care for any issues that need immediate attention. You can schedule an immediate appointment at our Cascade or Leonard locations through our online portal.
